A new Nowra bridge will come to fruition after the state government revealed it will fund half of the project in its upcoming budget.
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The NSW Government confirmed its commitment to funding 50 per cent of the new Shoalhaven River Bridge in the 2018/19 Budget, which will be handed down on June 19.
The spend will match the federal government’s commitment of $155 million, announced in May.
The total project cost is $310 million, with tenders set to be called for in late 2018 and work likely to begin in the second half of 2020.
The announcement was made by Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Bega MP Andrew Constance, Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock and Kiama MP Gareth Ward on Monday, June 18.
They said the funding was part of $1.5 billion secured in the budget to deliver highway upgrades south of Albion Park.
Other major projects to be delivered include the Albion Park Rail bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, and the Batemans Bay Bridge replacement.
Mrs Hancock said her government had made the “essential” Nowra bridge project possible with the funding allocation.
“This is a great win for the local community who are now one step closer to seeing the new Nowra Bridge and upgrade of the surrounding intersections become a reality,” she said.
“Once complete the new four-lane bridge will significantly reduce congestion and the upgrades at the busy Illaroo Road, Bolong Road, Pleasant Way and Bridge Road intersections will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike.”
The bridge concept design and review of environmental factors will be on display for comment later in the year, Mrs Hancock said.
She said the $10 million highway safety package announced last week was part of the $1.5 billion to be listed in the June 19 budget.
“The $10 million Princes Highway safety package announced last week will also benefit the local community and motorists with immediate safety measures such as audio tactile linemarking, barriers and road sealing installed at key locations along the highway,” Mrs Hancock said.
Mr Ward said a tender for the $630 million Albion Park Rail bypass project would be awarded in the next month.
He said the bypass would cut 16 intersections out of the route and would improve travel time by up to 30 per cent.
“It’s full steam ahead for this project, with early work to reconfigure the Croom Regional Sporting Complex under way since March,” Mr Ward said.
A $450 million investment by the state into upgrading the highway between Berry and Bomaderry was the “final piece in the puzzle” of more than 30 kilometres of highway upgraded south of Gerringong since 2012, he said.
Funding to the tune of $19 million was allocated to the project in the 2017/18 budget to begin major works. The construction contract for the 10.5 kilometre highway upgrade project was awarded in May 2018.
Downer and Seymour Whyte will build the four lanes of new divided road between Mullers Lane at Berry and the Cambewarra Road roundabout at Bomaderry in addition to building temporary roads and carrying out roadwork for the safety of motorists and workers.
Mr Constance said this was an important investment in the region and would improve safety and travel times for the local community and tourists to the region.
“The Princes Highway is our region’s main transportation spine, with communities and businesses from Wollongong to the Victorian border relying on and travelling the highway daily,” Mr Constance said.
He said the preferred tender for the Batemans Bay Bridge project was confirmed in May, with construction to begin in early 2019.
RELATED CONTENT: Council welcomes federal government’s bridge funding.